Effect of droplet characteristics on liquid-phase distribution in spray zone of internal mixing air-mist nozzle

In continuous casting production,droplet characteristics are important parameters for evaluating the nozzle atomization quality,and have a significant impact on the secondary cooling effect and the slab quality.In order to study the behavior of atomized droplets after reaching the slab surface and to optimize the spray cooling effect,the influence of droplet diameter and droplet velocity on the migration behavior of droplets in the secondary cooling zone was analyzed by FLUENT software.Results show that the droplets in the spray zone and on the slab surface are mainly concentrated in the center,thus,the liquid volume fraction in the center is higher than that of either side.As the droplet diameter increases,the region of high liquid volume fraction on the slab surface becomes wider,and the liquid phase distribution in the slab width direction becomes uneven.Although increasing the droplet velocity at the nozzle exit has little effect on droplet diffusion in the spray zone,the distribution becomes more uneven due to more liquid reaches the slab surface per unit time.A prediction formula of the maximum water flow rate on the slab surface for specific droplet characteristics was proposed based on dimensionless analysis and validated by simulated data.A nozzle spacing of 210 mm was recommended under the working conditions in this study,which ensures effective coverage of the spray water over the slab surface and enhances the distribution uniformity of water flow rate in the transverse direction.

Influence of Ti(C,N)precipitates on austenite growth of micro-alloyed steel during continuous casting

Austenite grain size is an important influence factor for ductility of steel at high temperatures during continuous casting. Thermodynamic and kinetics calculations were performed to analyze the characteristics of Ti(C,N) precipitates formed during the continuous casting of micro-alloyed steel. Based on Andersen-Grong equation, a coupling model of second phase precipitation and austenite grain growth has been established, and the influence of second precipitates on austenite grain growth under different cooling rates is discussed. Calculations show that the final sizes of austenite grains are 2.155, 1.244, 0.965, 0.847 and 0.686 mm, respectively, under the cooling rate of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 ℃·s^(-1), when ignoring the pinning effect of precipitation on austenite growth. Whereas, if taking the pinning effect into consideration, the grain growth remains stable from 1,350 ℃, the calculated final sizes of austenite grains are 1.46, 1.02, 0.80, 0.67 and 0.57 mm, respectively. The sizes of final Ti(C,N) precipitates are 137, 79, 61, 51 and 43 nm, respectively, with the increase of cooling rate from 1 to 10 ℃·s^(-1). Model validation shows that the austenite size under different cooling rates coincided with the calculation results. Finally, the corresponding measures to strengthen cooling intensity at elevated temperature are proposed to improve the ductility and transverse crack of slab.

Flow and heat transfer of liquid slag in a continuous casting mold

A three-dimensional mathematical model for coupled liquid steel and liquid slag was established to study the flow and heat transfer behavior of liquid slag. Based on the volume of fluid method and the heat transfer model, the effect of different casting parameters on the flow and heat transfer of the liquid slag was investigated. The results show that there are two different size recirculation zones of the liquid slag layer on the liquid steel in the mold center plane, extending from the submerged entry nozzle to the mold narrow face. With the increase in the casting speed and the decrease in the viscosity of the mold flux, the overall velocity and the temperature of the liquid slag increase. With the increase in the inclination angle and the submergence depth of the submerged entry nozzle, the temperature of the liquid slag decreases, and the velocity decreases near the mold narrow face and increases in the vicinity of the submerged entry nozzle. The inactive flow field and the low temperature of liquid slag within 100 mm of the submerged entry nozzle may intensify the surface longitudinal cracking sensitivity of the slab. When the lubrication and heat transfer are well regulated between the surface of mold and the mold flux film, low casting speed, large inclination angle and submergence depth of the submerged entry nozzle are beneficial for reducing the possibility of a slab surface longitudinal crack.

Effects of argon blowing at tundish upper nozzle on multiphase flow behavior in nozzle

In continuous casting,the argon blowing at the tundish upper nozzle is usually used to prevent nozzle clogging,whose effect is closely related to the migration of argon bubbles and the flow behavior of the liquid steel in the nozzle.Here,to investigate the effects of argon blowing at the tundish upper nozzle on multiphase flow behavior in nozzle,a threedimensional model of the tundish–nozzle–mold was established for numerical simulation.The results indicate that the argon bubbles injected from the inner wall of the tundish upper nozzle first move downward along the nozzle wall under the action of the liquid steel.As the distance from the tundish upper nozzle increases,the argon bubbles gradually diffuse to the center of the nozzle.Compared with no argon blowing,the liquid steel velocity increases in the center of the nozzle and decreases near the wall with argon blowing.With increasing the argon flow rate,the concentration of bubbles in the nozzle increases,and the process of bubble group diffusion to the center region of the nozzle speeds up.This in turn increases the liquid steel velocity at the center of the nozzle but reduces near the wall.With increasing the casting speed,the concentration of bubbles in the nozzle decreases,the length of the bubble group near the nozzle wall is extended,and the liquid steel velocity at the center region and near-wall region of the nozzle increases.The mechanism of argon blowing at the tundish upper nozzle to prevent nozzle clogging is mainly realized by the isolation effect of the argon bubble group on the inner wall of the nozzle.

Medium oxygen enriched blast furnace with top gas recycling strategy

Top gas recycling oxygen blast furnace（TGR-OBF）process is a promising ironmaking process.The biggest challenge of the TGR-OBF in operation is the dramatic decrease of top gas volume（per ton hot metal）,which once led to hanging-up and shutdowns in practice of the Toulachermet.In order to avoid this weakness,the strategy of medium oxygen blast furnace was presented.The maneuverable zone of the TGR-OBF was determined by the top gas volume,which should not be far from the data of the traditional blast furnace.The deviation of ±12.5% was used,and then the maneuverable blast oxygen content is from 0.30 to 0.47 according to the calculation.The flame temperature and the top gas volume have no much difference compared to those of the traditional blast furnace.The minimum carbon consumption of 357 kg per ton hot metal in the maneuverable zone occurs at the oxygen content of 0.30（fuel saving of 14%）.In the unsteady evolution,the N2 accumulation could approach nearly zero after the recycling reached 6 times.Thus far,some TGR-OBF industrial trials have been carried out in different countries,but the method of medium oxygen enriched TGR-OBF has not been implemented,because the accumulation of N2 was worried about.The presented strategy of medium oxygen enriched TGR-OBF is applicable and the strategy with good operational performance is strongly suggested as a forerunner of the full oxygen blast furnace.

Numerical simulation of EMS position on flow, solidification and inclusion capture in slab continuous casting

Electromagnetic stirring(EMS)is a well-known and widely used technology for controlling the fluid flow in continuous casting mold,and therein the selection of stirrer position is closely related to final product.To investigate the effect of stirrer position on initial solidification and inclusion capturing,a mathematical model coupling with electromagnetic field,turbulence flow,solidification,and inclusion movement was constructed.Through comparing the magnetic flux density,flow field and solidified shell thickness with measured data,the reliability of the mathematical model was proved.The uniform index has been introduced to judge the uniformity of solidified shell,and the washing effects of EMS on the numbers and distribution of captured inclusions were discussed.The results show that a diagonal jet flow toward the mold wide face has generated when EMS is applied,and upper EMS position can effectively improve the uniformity of temperature and the solidified shell within the mold.Meanwhile,due to the washing effect of EMS,the number of inclusions inside the solidified shell decreases,and the distribution of captured inclusions along the mold width changes evenly.Decreasing the stirrer position,the uniform index decreases firstly and then increases,and the probability of inclusion capture by solidified shell increases.Thus,the upper stirrer position is suggested,with which the uniformity of solidified shell and cleanliness of slab are rational.